Wisconsin continues to experience some very dry conditions, and this week a drought emergency was declared in 41 Wisconsin counties including most of central and northern Wisconsin. As a result, state water officials will expedite farmers’ requests to divert stream or lake water to irrigate streamside crop fields. Storms across southern and central Wisconsin dropped as much as 2 inches of rain in the last week, but the most of the north received less than half an inch of rain.
Many northern river systems continue to run well below normal seasonal levels, and canoeists and kayakers continue to have to maneuver around more rocks or pull boats through some low spots on popular paddling rivers. Rivers in the southern part of the state are generally running at normal summer levels.
After a relatively cool summer so far, temperatures have finally reached up into the 80s and surface water temperatures have also finally increased into the 70s on northern lakes, resulting in fish moving into more normal late summer patterns. Northern pike that have remained in the shallow weeds all summer are finally retreating to the cooler water at greater depths. Muskies that actually prefer the warmer water may finally start hitting top-water lures with their usual mid-summer vengeance. Largemouth bass should be even more attracted to the shady undersides of logs and fallen trees while smallmouth bass won’t venture far from the shade of boulders, logs, and shade-producing weeds at depths of 6-12 feet. The “dog days” of summer produce some much natural food for walleyes that catching them is more of a challenge. Bluegills and crappies will be concentrated around deep-water structure in the daytime, but will make dawn and dusk movements into sparse weeds in 5 to 10 feet of water.
Anglers had to contend with some strong winds and high seas creating difficult trolling conditions on Lake Michigan. In between unfavorable fishing conditions anglers had some success fishing the piers and trolling shallower water depths landing some quality sized fish. Water temperatures out on the lake this past week have been in the middle to upper 40s. Catches were dominated by chinook salmon and rainbow trout with fewer coho salmon and lake trout landed this week. Perch anglers had another fair week with a couple good days that produced nice sized perch ranging from 6 to 10 inches.
People paddling and fishing on the Milwaukee River this week might encounter what look like baby crocodiles but are actually young lake sturgeon making their way in the wide world. On Thursday, July 30, DNR' fisheries staff released 760 lake sturgeon into the Milwaukee River below the dam at Thiensville. Photos are available on the Fish Wisconsin Flicker Web page at [http://www.flickr.com/photos/fishwisconsin/sets/72157622011065066/show/].
There have been numerous reports of impressive bucks displaying their velvet antlers across the Northwoods. Additionally, turkey broods have been observed with the young ones almost as big as hens now. Reports of bear on the move at all times of the day continue to come in.
Blueberries and raspberries are now past peak in most locations, but blackberries are producing fruit and wild rice is ripening.
And while it may seem early, squirrels and chipmunks are already busy harvesting black walnuts, acorns, and hickory nuts. Flowers blooming include harebell, bergamot, bellflower, lesser daisy fleabane, water lilies, asters, orange hawkweed, ox eye daisy, brown eyed Susan’s, and wooly yarrow.
A three-minute audio version of this report can be heard by calling (608) 266 2277.
A new report is put on the line each week.
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NORTHERN REGION
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - Summer certainly feels like it is here. Temperatures in the upper 80s are bringing many people out to cool off in the area lakes and rivers. The Bois Brule River is still flowing lower than normal at 103 cfs (cubic feet per second). The 64 year average is 131 cfs. The low water conditions have not stopped the paddlers though. It is reported that there are some areas that paddlers have to maneuver around more rocks but not enough where boats have to be dragged through long stretches. With the heat of the summer remember to bring drinking water out on the River. Some trips last several hours and dehydration can be a real concern for paddlers. Alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks are not enough and can actually dehydrate people more. Other important items to bring along are sun block and insect repellant.
A small area near Lake Nebagamon received golf ball to large egg sized hail.
Catherine Khalar Photo
Along with the summer heat come the summer storms. There were quite the "thunder boomers" last weekend that produced cloud to ground lightning and hail. A small area near Lake Nebagamon received golf ball to large egg sized hail. For those who want to read up on the upcoming hunting seasons, regulations are available to view online at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/regs/]. Baby toads are becoming more visible as they are leaving their breeding ponds to move to their upland homes where they will spend most of their adult life. Leopard frogs will follow shortly behind the toads, moving to grassland areas near wetlands.
Ashland DNR Service Center area
Bayfield County -- This week DNR fisheries staff are conducting a survey in Bark Bay, Lake Superior. In-stream habitat rehabilitation has improved portions of the Bark River
http://dnr.wi.gov/wnrmag/html/stories/2005/dec05/fish.htm, an important Lake Superior tributary which flows into Bark Bay in Bayfield County. The improved in-stream habitat may increase the potential that a healthy population of "coaster" brook trout could be built up in the river, with a portion of them eventually using Lake Superior for a portion of their life. The DNR fish crew is setting nets to survey the present fish community of Bark Bay and determine potential impediments -- like predators or competition with native and nonnative fish species -- that coaster brook trout may face in Lake Superior. Brook trout that inhabit Lake Superior for a portion of time are generally considered coaster brook trout. These trout generally grow larger because of the more plentiful food supply in the lake.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Summer has finally come, if only briefly, to the Northwoods. Air temperatures in the mid to upper 80s over the past several days have finally raised surface water temperatures to the upper 70s, which should cause several changes in fish behavior. Larger northern pike (over 24 inches) that have remained in the shallow weeds all summer should finally retreat to the cooler water they prefer at greater depths. Muskies that actually prefer the warmer water may finally start hitting top-water lures with their usual mid-summer vengeance, especially at night in lakes where other forms of recreation force the bigger fish to lay low during the daytime. Largemouth bass should be even more attracted to the shady undersides of logs and fallen trees near moderately sloping shorelines, but look for them to cruise the shallow weeds at dawn and dusk. Smallmouth bass won’t venture far from the shade of boulders, logs, and shade-producing weeds at depths of 6-12 feet. Both bass species should hit top-water lures at dawn and dusk with greater enthusiasm than they did when surface temperatures were stuck at around 70 degrees. It is now the “dog days” of summer for walleyes, which have so much natural food at this time that catching them is a challenge. Slowly-fished live bait should yield the most action at all but the most active dawn/dusk feeding periods. Bluegills and crappies of preferred size will be concentrated around deep-water structure in the daytime, where live bait or vertically fished jigs can take a limit of fish. But panfish will make dawn and dusk movements into sparse weeds in 5 to 10 feet of water where they can be caught quickly on small beetle spins (when active in low light) or worms (bluegills) and minnows (crappies) while the sun is still shining brightly. Don’t overlook the fun of fly-fishing with dry flies or poppers for big panfish during the half hour before dark when many insects are hatching and fish are boiling at the surface.
Flambeau River State Forest - Both the north and south forks of the Flambeau are low. Paddlers on the north fork report it is still a great trip, but sometimes needed to pull through in a few spots. ATV trails are open and in good shape. Please be aware there is some trail work being done on the southern end of the forest. Milkweed is flowering and we're seeing lots of monarch butterflies. Raspberries are peaked along with blueberries and dewberries.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Fishing activity has backed off a bit lately. Panfish can still be found in the deeper water weed lines with walleye action best very early mornings on the bigger clear water lakes. Raspberries are past peak but many are still available. Blackberries should start turning in the next week. There have been numerous reports of impressive bucks displaying their velvet antlers across the Lakeland area. Additionally, turkey broods have been observed throughout the Northwoods with the young ones almost as big as mom right now. Bear are on the move at all times of the day as many reports continue to trickle in. With fall just around the corner, hunter safety courses are being offered. Now is a good time to enroll your children in these sessions if they will be eligible to hunt in the upcoming hunting seasons. Check the DNR Web site for updates on the class offering dates and schedules. Click on the Recreational Safety Education Classes link and just fill in the blanks. With the increase in ATV use and popularity, we remind ATV operators that it is a good idea to brush up on the rules and regulations for operation of ATVs. This summer area conservation wardens are encountering a number of ATV operators who are, for the most part, inadvertently committing violations. One of the bigger problems is ATV trespass. Operators need to remember that ATVs can only be driven on designated routes and trails or on property with permission of the owner. ATVs need to be registered in order to operate in Wisconsin. A trail pass is needed for any out of state registered ATVs.
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NORTHEAST REGION
Green Bay DNR Service Center area
Manitowoc County - In the Manitowoc and Two Rivers area, trout and salmon anglers had an alright week of fishing. Pier fishing was better midweek and slowed down over the weekend coinciding with the thunderstorms that moved into the area. Anglers had to contend with some strong winds and high seas creating difficult trolling conditions on Lake Michigan. In between unfavorable fishing conditions anglers had some success fishing the piers and trolling shallower water depths landing some quality sized fish. In Manitowoc most boat anglers were trolling between 20 to 60 feet of water. Many anglers were trolling with flasher and fly combinations or spoons. Some large catches came off green and orange J-plugs. Most success was reported near sunrise and late afternoon. Anglers had a slower week of fishing off the north and south piers. Most anglers were casting 3/4 oz. spoons with reflective green, silver, or blue. Few anglers fished off the bottom with alewife. The average chinook landed off the piers ranged from 15 to 18 pounds. A few nice Skamania strained rainbows were also caught off the piers ranging from 11 to 13 pounds. Perch anglers had another fair week with a couple good days that produced nice sized perch ranging from 6 to 10 inches. Perch anglers had success fishing off the rocks in the marina or off the north pier stub. Most successful anglers were rigging up with a minnow or crab tail with a bobber. In Two Rivers anglers were also trolling shallow anywhere between 15-45 feet of water. Many boat anglers were trolling to the north along the Point Beach Park and toward the nuclear power plant. Boat anglers were running planner boards, dipsy divers, downriggers, and lead core-line. Glow in the dark spoons and J-plugs were producing some nice catches. Boat anglers on average had catch sizes ranging from one to five fish. Catches were dominated by chinook salmon and rainbow trout with fewer coho salmon and lake trout landed this week. Chinook salmon ranged from 12 to 20 pounds and rainbows were ranging from 5-10 pounds. On the piers anglers were spread out during the week on the north and south pier. Anglers were casting bright colored spoons and deep diving stick baits producing some nice sized chinook salmon and rainbow trout. One angler fishing the south pier on Wednesday afternoon landed a really nice brown trout weighing in at 12 pounds.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Kewaunee County - Weather this past week continued to be a little cooler than average, but some rain finally moved in at the end of the week. Winds remained out of the west at the start of the week, but the storms at the end of the week helped to bring the winds out the east. Anglers have been reporting some success casting spoons for trout and salmon off of the piers in Algoma and Kewaunee. The fish are mostly being caught during the night with a few being caught during the day. Anglers that have been going out on the lake had some good fishing to start this week, but things slowed down during the middle of the week and remained slow through the weekend. Kings and steelhead still account for most of the catch with there being more kings than steelhead being caught. Anglers have found that the fish are still holding closer to shore and as such they are finding fish in shallower waters. Most fish are being caught in water depths between 30 and 70 feet with most anglers fishing over water that is in the 75 to 125 feet range. Water temperatures out on the lake this past week have been in the middle to upper 40s. Most anglers have been using a combination of dipsy divers and flashers and flies, but spoons and J-plugs have also been having success as well. The most common colors seem to be either a bright green or blue.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Anglers out night fishing this week have had a great show of meteor showers. Reports of large gizzard shad hatches in the bays of Lake Winnebago are still coming in. Dawn is the best time to be out catching fish. The most success may be found fishing the wood, or along any type of structure. Blackberries and wild rice are ripening. Wildlife staff eradicated black locust from the Mullet Creek Wildlife Area this week. This species was most likely planted for soil erosion control or for firewood before the property became a State Wildlife Area. It is now generally considered a weed because it spreads prolifically by suckering. The much anticipated "People of the Sturgeon" is now available for purchase on amazon.com and the Wisconsin Historical Society website. Sturgeon for Tomorrow donated $25,000 towards publication costs to keep this full color, 300+ page book at a very reasonable price for sturgeon enthusiasts.
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SOUTHEAST REGION
Kettle Moraine State Park - Pike Lake Unit - All trails are open to hiking and in good condition. The "Fireside Folklore" naturalist program scheduled for Saturday, August 15 has been cancelled. Check out the new pier on the accessible trail north of the beach area. This pier was donated by the Kettle Moraine Lions of Hartford.
Ozaukee County -- People paddling and fishing on the Milwaukee River this week might encounter what look like baby crocodiles but are actually young lake sturgeon making their way in the wide world. On Thursday, July 30, DNR' fisheries staff released 760 lake sturgeon into the Milwaukee River below the dam at Thiensville. Photos are available on the Fish Wisconsin Flicker Web page [www.flickr.com/photos/fishwisconsin] (exit DNR). This is the first time there have been enough fingerlings at the Milwaukee River Rearing Facility to stock-out early; typically, the young sturgeon are stocked out in the fall after spending their first few months growing in a streamside rearing facility. In 2009, like the first three years of the project, staff and volunteers at the Riveredge Nature Center in Newburg provided most of the manpower to raise these sturgeon. Innovations in improving water quality, fish health treatments and feeding protocols improved the early survival of lake sturgeon. This allowed not only an early stocking of lake sturgeon to meet our 1,500 annual goal but will also provide 1,000 fish to be stocked on October 3, 2009, as large fingerlings.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan anglers on the end of the south pier have been catching chinooks and browns on spoons and alewives. Sheboygan trollers have been taking mostly chinooks and a few rainbows, and the best catches have been in 40 to 70 feet of water on a variety of spoons and J-plugs.
Ozaukee County - Pier anglers in Port Washington have been catching a few chinooks and coho on alewives and spoons, and shore anglers near the power plant have been taking browns. Trollers out of Port have reported chinooks, coho, and browns taken 20 to 30 feet down in 40 to 70 feet of water.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee boats near the Oak Creek Power Plant and at the boils continue to catch perch on minnows. For Milwaukee shore anglers, McKinley pier has produced some late night chinooks and coho taken on glow-in-the-dark spoons, and browns have been caught behind the Summerfest grounds. Trollers out of Milwaukee have been catching chinooks, coho, and lake trout have been taken in 35 to 55 feet of water.
Racine County - Shore fishing off the piers in Racine has been good, with chinooks and steelhead hitting both spoons and spawn. Trollers out of Racine have been finding coho, rainbows, and chinooks in as shallow as 20 to 30 feet of water right off the harbor, and out as deep as 70 feet. Glow-in-the-dark spoons and J-plugs have been producing.
Kenosha County - In Kenosha brown trout fishing in the harbor has been hit-or-miss. On good days, shore anglers have taken fair numbers of browns on spawn sacs or silver spoons. Kenosha trollers have been catching chinooks, browns, and rainbows in as shallow as 30 to 60 feet of water off the mouth of the Pike River.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Devil’s Lake State Park - Swimmers’ itch was reported in late June, but there have been no cases or complaints in almost a month, so maybe it has passed. Nevertheless, swimmers should take precautions. Take a shower and immediately towel off thoroughly after swimming. From about 2003 to 2006 Devil’s Lake had hardly any hint of swimmer’s itch, but it has re-emerged in the last three years, perhaps due to weather conditions, flooding, or high water. The decades-old tradition of Saturday night dances at the north shore Chateau continues. Come and dance to the sound of the Hal Edwards Orchestra or the Summer Wind Band – popular tunes, swing, big band – and mix with a grand assortment of people. Cost is $5 per person. All vehicles must have a valid vehicle admission sticker as well. Dances are every Saturday night, and start at 7:30 p.m. and continue until 10:30 p.m. The last dance of the season is Labor Day weekend, Sunday, September 6. Join astronomers from the UW-Madison Astronomy program for an evening of exploring the universe Thursday, August 20 - 8 p.m. Luke Woodswalker will be on hand to answer your questions about Devil’s Lake until dusk until the astronomy program begins. Meet at the outdoor amphitheater in the Northern Lights Campground.
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WEST CENTRAL REGION
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
It sure seems early, but squirrels and chipmunks are busy harvesting black walnuts, acorns, and hickory nuts already. These mast crops are important food resources relished by a host of large and small animals, supplying them with fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Some animals, such as black bears, gorge themselves on mast in preparation for winter slumber. Others, such as deer mice or blue jays, cache vast quantities of nuts and seeds for use at a later time when these foods might otherwise be unavailable.
Wildcat Mountain State Park - Flowers blooming include harebell bergamot, and tall bellflower. August 15 at dusk there will be a Northwest Suburban Astronomers Program and Star Gazing. The talk and slide show will be on The Solar System. Following the slide show there will be public viewing of the night sky through a variety of telescopes.
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Black River State Forest – The Black River area received heavy rainfall last Friday night. Some sections of the trail system are currently wet but the entire system is passable. We will be grooming the entire trail system this week so they should be in good shape for next weekend. Work has begun on upgrading the wetland crossings on a 1.1-mile section of trail from Wildcat Road heading west. This section of trail will be closed during the week for construction. The trail will open by 4 p.m. each Friday for weekend riding. We expect this work to take 2 to 3 weeks. An example of a recently upgraded section of trail can be found North of the Highway 54 parking lot to Bartos road. These projects will protect the long term sustainability of the trail system and lessen the frequency of trail closings due to large rainfalls. Over the course of the next two years we hope to upgrade all wetland crossings on the property.
Eau Claire DNR Service Center area
Brunet Island State Park - Species of birds seen or heard include: belted kingfishers, loons, red winged blackbirds, bufflehead and mallard ducks, bald eagles, ravens, crows, phoebes, northern juncos, chickadees, nuthatches, flickers, red headed and pileated woodpeckers, great horned and barred owls, mourning doves, sandhill cranes, blue birds, Canada geese, great blue herons, robins and blue jays. Dragonflies, damselflies, and fireflies are active. Blooming flowers include white snakeroot, wild bergamot, heal all, rabbits foot clover, lesser daisy fleabane, the water lilies, some of the aster varieties, orange hawkweed, wild columbine, ox eye daisy, brown eyed Susan’s, and wooly yarrow. The blackberries are beginning to produce fruit. The park trails are in very good condition.
Chippewa Moraine Ice Age State Recreation Area - - Fishing has been good within the Reserve and area lakes, even with lower lake levels. Panfish including crappies and bluegills of varying size and largemouth bass have been caught. Trails are in very good shape, but because of the heavy clay soils, can become slippery when wet. Because of the cool summer so far, biting insects have been at a minimum. Dragonflies of many varieties will fly alongside you, swooping in to catch their fill of mosquitoes and deer flies. There are lots of wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for those who hike in the early morning. Fox kits are often seen close to the visitor center; as are spotted fawns. A few sightings of bear cubs have been reported within the Reserve. The hummingbird feeders around the visitor center provide non-stop action as Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds vie for the best perch. As your drive along roads within the Reserve please be mindful of the many snapping turtles and painted turtles along roadsides Unfortunately, road mortality takes a huge toll on reptiles and amphibians. The native plant rain garden installed two years ago is doing very well with sweet flag iris, Ohio spiderwort, prairie smoke, and porcupine sedge now in bloom. Ask for your free guide to installing rain gardens. Along the trail, bracken and maidenhead ferns are tall and lush. Birds seen include grasshopper, song, chipping, and field sparrows, bobolinks, indigo buntings, wood pewees, American redstart and red-eyed vireos. The warblers spotted include chestnut-sided, mourning, yellow, and common yellowthroat.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - Campsites have been full on weekends with the three non-reservable sites being taken early. The campsites have been about half full during the week. The two beaches and picnic areas have been busy with people swimming and enjoying the warm weather. The swimming area has not been green! If it happens to be that way, we have 2 places people swim and it usually blows back out into the lake. The accessible fishing pier is located by the north shelter. If you self-register for an annual it will be mailed to you. We have some openings for the handicapped cabin in Sept and Oct and a 4 night cancellation the last weekend of August. Canoes and kayaks are available for renting at the park and many visitors have been enjoying them. Visitors on the weekend saw great blue herons and osprey while paddling the canoe trail. We have an adapted kayak and beach wheelchair for use by people with disabilities. There are few bugs now so remember to bring some bug spray. People have been hiking all over the park and taking pictures for the photo contest. GPS units are available to check out as well as a binder of geocaches at Buckhorn and Roche-A-Cri. The annual candlelight night hike is coming up on Saturday, August 15 from 6-10 pm. There will be naturalist programs at 6 and 7pm and you can hike the 1.4 mile nature trail lit with tiki torches.
Roche-A-Cri State Park - The campground is open and we have had many sites open on the weekends. The weather is perfect for taking photos for the annual photo contest and hiking the trails. The picnic shelter by the mound/kiosk is reservable and has volleyball net and horseshoe pits. GPS units are available to checkout for the day. Repair work will be starting on Hwy 13, which will include a new turn lane into the park. Expect some delays during the week or earlier on Friday. The road and park entrance will remain open during construction.
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